Professional Documents
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In Malaysia, it is not a crime to be homeless. But the DPA allows local authorities and
social welfare departments to round up, remand, and detain homeless persons against their will.
Such a system violates the rights and In addition, round ups and detention of
freedoms guaranteed to all Malaysian citizens homeless persons negatively impacts their
under the Federal Constitution, as well as those health, incomes, assets, access to social
guaranteed to all people under the Universal support networks and overall personal
Declaration of Human Rights. security in multiple ways.
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The public’s true interest lies in 3) Ensure that the rights, freedoms, and needs of all
developing policies that enhance persons regardless of housing status are protected,
individual and collective human without reservation, by:
security by addressing poverty and Pinpointing laws at the federal, state, and local
homelessness at their root. levels that criminalize homelessness and/or
disproportionately penalize homeless persons, and
initiate action to have them amended or repealed.
Review laws, policies, and practices in federal
The Straits Times, August 20, 1956 agencies to identify discriminatory treatment of
homeless persons, particularly that which violates
their constitutional and international human
rights, and initiate action to have them revised or
terminated.
...
Laws and ordinances providing for the round up, arrest, & compulsory
detainment of persons experiencing homelessness;1872 to present.